STARTING A BUSINESS IN THE USA THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING IN THE UNITED STATES AND MENTORING

 STARTING A BUSINESS IN THE USA (PART 2): THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING IN THE UNITED STATES AND MENTORING

 STARTING A BUSINESS IN THE USA THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING IN THE UNITED STATES AND MENTORING

In the United States, as elsewhere, small and medium-sized business owners rely on networking to expand their relationships in similar or related fields. Ultimately, these relationships help them find new customers and establish partnerships for growth.

Why is networking important in the United States? Why is it essential to seek support and exchange ideas to succeed in a professional project? What is a mentor in the context of a business project in the USA? This second part of our guide entitled "Doing Business in the USA" focuses on an important topic that deserves reflection.

Doing business in the USA: get support from a French-speaking professional

Why is networking in the United States important (and essential)?

Some of the main reasons why networking is important for small businesses in the USA are:

Generate business prospects

Networking is a great way to gain new business opportunities. It's the connections you make through networking that open the door to career opportunities.

Proper and courteous communication and respect for deadlines are generally solid foundations for building good business relationships in the United States.

Identify best practices

Networking is a great way to identify best business practices or industry benchmarks. Learning from what others are doing is a valuable strategy for all businesses, regardless of industry or size.

Deciphering new trends

Networking often helps you stay on top of technology and new business trends. These connections and information can potentially provide a significant advantage over competitors by enabling the implementation of new ways of doing things.

Gain confidence

By expanding your network, you'll reach out to people you don't know and gain trust as you go. For a business owner, this is extremely important, especially when it comes to a country other than your own.

How to network in the United States?

An active professional network is essential for both career and business growth. Contrary to popular belief that networking is synonymous with "selling yourself," it's simply about building long-term relationships and building a solid reputation over time. It's all about meeting and getting to know people with whom you can connect, share, and support. Networking in the United States, when done skillfully, is built on trust and support. It can make all the difference for a foreigner looking to start a business in the United States.

In reality, while everyone knows that networking is important, the art of networking in the United States doesn't come naturally to many people. In fact, for some, the idea of starting a conversation with a stranger at a conference or event is a real trepidation. This is even more true when it comes to speaking another language!

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To feel comfortable, it's important to plan ahead and have a few relevant conversation topics in mind before you even go to a place where you'll be meeting people. These conversation topics don't necessarily have to be about work—they can definitely be about things like hobbies or the event itself. The idea is to spark conversation and pave the way for future meetings and discussions. Of course, handing out business cards is a must!

Starting a business in the USA: why get mentored?

A foreigner, that is, someone from a country other than the United States, has every interest in seeking mentoring to help their project come to fruition. Avoiding mistakes and saving time (and money) are just some of the reasons why it's worthwhile, even important, to seek out a mentor in the United States.

What are the benefits of mentoring in the United States?

Today's business landscape is complex and ever-changing. Navigating it requires combining a variety of soft skills with specific ones. Working with a mentor, usually someone with more experience, helps you understand the best ways to achieve a positive outcome.

Even the best entrepreneurs sometimes find their progress stalling, despite their strong performance. For a business, benefiting from the wise guidance of a mentor allows them to seize opportunities that aren't always easy to discover on their own. Often, working alongside a mentor, entrepreneurs see their confidence soar and their goals become clearer.

Mentoring in the US also gives a voice to those who are unable to complete their projects alone. Having a wide variety of voices around a table is very beneficial for managing a business, as well as for an organization or project. Indeed, it allows for the exploration of different solutions and perspectives, and the exchanges often lead to a positive ripple effect.

The benefits of mentoring aren't limited to the mentees alone. Mentors also see significant benefits in their actions. Supporting new entrepreneurs gives them the opportunity to develop their leadership and management skills.

Getting support from a mentor in the USA: what to expect?

Typically, a good mentor is a motivated and energetic individual. They care about the development of others and are willing to dedicate their time. The mentee, for their part, must ensure they dedicate the time and energy necessary to fully benefit from mentoring. Mentoring is most effective when there is a good fit between the two parties, both in terms of background, skills, experiences, roles, or similar challenges.

Setting clear and measurable goals is also an inherent part of being a good mentor. The responsibility always lies with the mentee, and they must take responsibility for it. However, a good mentor will help them gain a better sense of direction, especially if they are struggling with doubt and uncertainty.

A quality mentor also establishes a climate of trust; they remain discreet and respect the confidentiality of the person they are mentoring. It is important that the mentee feels safe and can have an open and transparent conversation. Thus, frankness is obviously very important to the success of the relationship.

How to find a mentor in the USA?

Before looking for a mentor, focus on your goals. Define them clearly and set specific expectations about how a mentor can help you. If you're not 100% sure, at least write down a rough outline and a direction you'd like to take.

To find a mentor who's a good fit for you, take the time to consider the different disciplines and functions that they should represent. Do you have a specific mentor role model? Where do you see yourself in the next 5, 10, or 15 years? Would you benefit from a different functional and industry perspective? Do your research, making sure the people you meet along the way are a good fit for what you need.

It seems perfectly logical to start looking for a mentor in the USA by consulting your own professional network. Indeed, it's entirely possible that the people you're in contact with will be able to advise you. All you need to do is turn this connection into a permanent relationship. Also, keep in mind that a mentor doesn't necessarily have to be someone older and more experienced than you. Peer mentoring can be just as valuable.